British holidaymakers planning a winter getaway to Italy are being urged to prepare for significant travel chaos as the country braces for two waves of nationwide strikes. The industrial action, set for late November and mid-December, is expected to cause major disruption across the entire transport network.
Key Strike Dates and Expected Impact
The first wave of industrial action begins with a 24-hour rail strike from 9pm on Thursday, November 27, until 9pm on Friday, November 28, 2025. This will be immediately followed by a nationwide general strike on November 28 itself. A second general strike has been called for Friday, December 12, 2025.
These strikes will affect the entire Italian Republic, with workers across sectors, including railways and public services, walking out. Popular tourist destinations such as Rome, Milan, Venice, and Florence are anticipated to experience severe travel disruption along their busiest routes.
Expert Advice for Travellers
Travel expert Yasmin Peskel from cabin charter company Blue Cruise has issued a stark warning for UK tourists. She advises against assuming your journey will be unaffected, even if a specific alert hasn't been issued for your route or airline.
"Strike days in Italy rarely affect just one type of transport," Peskel stated. "Even when guaranteed services operate, they often run at reduced capacity, and the ripple effect can disrupt travel for the entire day. Flights may still go ahead, but passengers can face long queues, slower ground handling and delays getting to or from the airport."
She emphasised that while some rail and local transport services are legally "protected" during peak commuter hours, most travellers should expect reduced timetables and last-minute changes throughout the strike periods.
What to Expect and How to Prepare
Disruption levels will vary between regions and operators, but travellers should be prepared for a range of issues, including:
- Possible last-minute train cancellations, including pre-booked high-speed services.
- Drastically reduced bus, metro, and tram services in major cities.
- Slower airport processes and potential flight delays due to staff shortages.
- Longer overall journey times, particularly for airport transfers.
Peskel's key advice for anyone travelling to Italy around the strike dates is to stay flexible. "The most important thing is to stay flexible," she said. "Even minor delays early in the day can snowball into wider disruption. If you're visiting Italy's Christmas markets, give yourself breathing room so the strikes don't impact your plans."
Her practical recommendations include allowing extra time for every stage of your journey, checking airline and rail operator apps regularly for real-time updates, and booking flexible or refundable tickets where possible. Travellers should also plan alternative routes in advance, avoid tight connections, and consider travelling earlier in the day when services are less vulnerable to cancellations.
